Our Opinion: What a season!

FSU continues drive toward perfection

Back in August, Florida State football fans already were nervously anticipating today's date.

A long season stretched ahead, and the Seminoles had lost a record 11 players to the National Football League draft. FSU had an untested quarterback and a lot of questions.

But, the fans thought, if we can make it past Pittsburgh in the opener, and if we can get past Clemson and Miami, and if we don't have any missteps along the way - well, that Nov. 30 game against the University of Florida, a team that finished last season with an 11-2 record, could be a doozy.

Oh, how things can change.

FSU has done its part, and its players will stride into "The Swamp" in Gainesville at noon today with an 11-0 record, a No. 2 ranking nationally and an inside track to the national championship game.

It didn't work out as well for the Gators, who started the season in the top 10. They are 4-7, including a six-game losing streak capped by a loss last week to lower-division Georgia Southern. "Fire Will Muschamp" is now a Facebook page.

So, which Florida team will show up today? The one loaded with in-state talent, the one that beat FSU here in Tallahassee last year? Or the one that has become the butt of jokes? (See the video of the two Gators blocking each other.)

FSU's fans and players had better not assume an easy win. But let's dream a little.

With a victory today, the Seminoles move one step closer to becoming only the third football team in school history to finish a season unbeaten - joining the 8-0 squad of 1950 and Bobby Bowden's 1999 national championship team. (Four FSU teams have finished the regular season unbeaten.)

This has been a season of incredible individual accomplishments, led by quarterback Jameis Winston, who has continued to sparkle on the field even as the national media follow a sexual assault investigation to which he has been connected.

There are team accomplishments, too. FSU has the nation's second-ranked offense (55.2 points per game) and the second-ranked defense (11.4 points per game). FSU has scored 40 points or more in every game.

Join the live blog today at Nole­Sports.com and add your voice to those celebrating this season. This success is good for Tallahassee, and good for FSU. Let the winning continue.